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A matter of triumph and void


For this semi-staged concert, SPECTRA and the International Opera Academy partner up once more – this time, painting a portrait of Wim Henderickx, one of Flanders’ most acclaimed composers. The starting point for the performance are two contrasting music theatre works: one, a fast-moving opera with libretto by Johan Thielemans, and two, a slow, meditative piece of musical theatre.

In ‘Triumph of Spirit over Matter’, the characters journey with us through an unhinged world in which every extreme touches its opposite: artistic integrity meets cynical mercantilism, authentic genius meets horse-trading in forgery, self-sacrifice meets disdain. But at everyone’s core, purity and depravity meet, and creative and destructive urges take turns in triumphing.

Henderickx’ composition ‘Sunyata’ (emptiness) is the basis for ‘Void’, an inner quest for meaning and religion, inspired by Eastern and Western mysticism. Here, the Buddhist shri yantra is the structural guideline.

Do all opposites meet?

 

Dates

  • Muziekcentrum De Bijloke - 18 May 2019

Credits

Artistic team

Componist: Wim Henderickx
Conductor: Filip Rathé
Concept & director: Darren Ross
Set & costumes: Pieter Coene
Set & light: Yannick Verweij
Musical coach: Hein Boterberg

Cast

Students International Opera Academy: Alberto Martínez, Arnaud Dos Santos, Astrid Joos, Barbara Jop, Déborah Salazar, Diana Santos, Elisa Soster, Fernando Loura, Kiup Lee, Mario Maiguel Rey, Marta Estal Vera

Ensemble: SPECTRA

 

Coproduction: International Opera Academy, SPECTRA, Muziekcentrum De Bijloke

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